Scholarship honouring Glowell Prep alum grows in second year
Published:Monday | September 29, 2025 | 12:09 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
The Nicholai Graham Scholarship, established to support high-performing Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students from Glowell Preparatory School in Cedar Grove, Portmore in St Catherine, has expanded to benefit two students in the 2025-2026 academic year.
During a presentation ceremony held on September 19, Shanice Colquhoun and Kaminda Barnett each received a symbolic cheque for US$1,000 (approximately J$160,000) and a trophy. Pastor Marcia Wright and Marcia Skervin of Marie Berbick International Ministries presented the awards.
Named in honour of Nikolai Graham, the scholarship is administered through Reverend Marie Berbick’s ministry, Marie Berbick Ministries International (MBMI), which partners with Glowell Preparatory School to award a US$1,000 scholarship annually to a PEP student from a single-income household.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Nikolai Graham is the son of Berbick and a former head boy of Glowell who overcame sickle cell disease and other challenges to rank among the top five per cent in the 2015 Grade Six Achievement Test. His performance secured him a place at Campion College before he emigrated to the United States.
According to Gloria Jack, principal of Glowell Preparatory, the scholarship was launched last year as a token of gratitude to the school for its support when Graham was ill. Jack described the initiative as a meaningful way to assist other students at the school.
“The scholarship is the Nicholai Graham Scholarship and each recipient gets US$1,000 to offset school expenses. This year, there is also a runner-up from the donor,” Jack said.
This year, awardees were chosen after submitting an 800-word essay that impressed both Graham and Berbick.
Georgette Walker Colquhoun, mother of one of the recipients, expressed appreciation.
“My daughter, Shanice Colquhoun, was selected for the Nicholai Graham scholarship and I feel very pleased, as it is very difficult financially to deal with school expenses. So this will go a long way,” she said.
Colquhoun is now attending Cedar Grove Academy, and Barnett, another recipient, is now a student of St Catherine High School. In 2024, the scholarship was first awarded to Daniella McKinley, also a Glowell Preparatory alumna, to assist with high-school expenses.